Display case and related methods

ABSTRACT

An improved display case may be used to show and eventually sell items such as jewelry. The display case is both aesthetically pleasing as well as functionally useful for displaying and selling items. Additionally, methods are likewise disclosed for preparing display trays without warping and for providing for ease in restocking items once the display tray is depleted.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to display cases and related apparatuses, for the display of jewelry and other items of similar size. The apparatus and methods disclosed herein relate to new ways to use the display cases, which function to offer choices to consumers.

SUMMARY

An improved display case is advantageously used to show and eventually sell items such as jewelry. The display case is designed to be both aesthetically pleasing as well as functionally useful for displaying and selling items. Additionally, methods are likewise disclosed for preparing display trays without warping and for providing for ease in restocking items once the display tray is depleted.

DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a display case of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a display tray interconnected with a display tray connector via a cantilever device.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of a display case connector, shown with a shelf articulated therein.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a display case connector, shown with a shelf articulated therein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a display tray.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a display tray in use, wherein reordering information is provided on the display tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present inventor is a class leading jewelry designer whose prominence differentiates works from others, however, he needs to constantly innovate to continue to better display his works. Jewelry shopping and sales is a billion dollar business worldwide. Despite the large size of the business, however, each individual piece of jewelry is art. Nearly all pieces are one-of-a-kind, and discriminating buyers appreciate each piece's unique aesthetic, even when the overall form of the piece is similar to many others. Consequently, the purchase of jewelry is a personal activity in which the consumer's taste and eye dictate whether the piece is purchased. Consumers like to view, handle, and often “try on” jewelry pieces prior to making a purchase. Consequently, jewelers maintain secure display cases in showrooms to show the jewelry to potential consumers, where the jewelry may be removed and replaced with little effort. These type of display cases must be both aesthetically pleasing and flattering to the individual pieces, as well as functional.

Jewelry cases are designed both as functional display media, that is, as a tool to efficiently and economically show jewelry pieces, as well as an aesthetic media to highlight the beauty and individual character of each piece of jewelry. Designers seek to maximize both the useable space within the case, while maintaining a degree of elegance that highlights the aesthetic of each piece individually. Often, these types of cases employ multiple shelving tiers and lighting solutions to accomplish these objectives.

In addition to the artistry of the jewelry, cases may be designed by artists in conjunction with the pieces to highlight the pieces as part of an overall solution for showing or selling their products. These cases incorporate the functionality of a generic display case, while preserving the aesthetic elements that attract consumers and improve overall sales of the pieces. Tools, such as display cases, are therefore often copied for their functional features of both attracting customers and improving sales.

Turning now to an embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 1, display case 100 is shown. Display case 100 is a structure in which items may be displayed on display trays 130 inside of display case 100. Disposed inside of display case 100 is at least one display case connector 110, to which one or more display trays 130 are connected. Display case 100 may either be enclosed or open, depending on the nature and circumstances of the items displayed. In embodiments in which display case 100 is closed, locking mechanisms may be added to prevent unauthorized opening of the case and access to the items on sale. The design and form of display case 100 is well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

According to embodiments, display case 100 may be made from combinations of acrylic; glass; polycarbonate thermoplastics, such as Cyrolon, Lexan, and Tuffak; laminate; wood; metal; and other materials from which similar cases are made, as would be known and understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The choice of material depends upon the desired aesthetic, as well as the functional features of the case. For example, a museum display case wherein high value jewelry is displayed may require a polycarbonate thermoplastic transparent layer disposed in a polished steel frame. Conversely, for other jewelry cases, acrylic and laminate may be sufficient to both be aesthetically pleasing and provide a modicum of security with a simple locking mechanism. In embodiments that are open, items may be displayed where security is not an issue. In these type of systems, a simple laminate or acrylic frame, with no transparent doors or windows, may be sufficient.

Lighting may be provided to the items in display case 100 either naturally or with artificial lights placed inside of or outside of display case 100. For example, display case 100 may have transparent roofs that allow natural light to filter through and prevent the need to install electrical outlets or devices within display case 100. Conversely, display case 100 users may wish to use lighting to highlight various pieces and may install light fixtures accordingly. The decision and placement of a lighting solution for display case 100 is readily ascertainable and understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Disposed within display case 100 is at least one display case connector 110. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a close-up view of display case connector 110 with display tray 130 disposed thereon. Display trays 130 may be placed into one or more cantilever devices 120 disposed on display tray connector 110.

Display case connector 110 holds display tray 130 in display case 100. According to an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, display case connector 110 comprises cantilever device 120, which supports the weight of display tray 130 and the items placed upon display tray 130. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, Cantilever device 120 comprises at least one opening in display case connector 110.

According to an alternate, similar embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, cantilever device 120 comprises upper cantilever lip 122 and lower lip 124. Lower cantilever lip 124 may comprise the upper cantilever lip 122 of a lower display tray 130. Similarly upper cantilever lip 122 may comprise lower cantilever lip 122 of display tray 130 disposed above display tray 130. Display tray 130 articulates with cantilever device 120 via specialized parts.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, display tray 130 comprises proximal lip 132, distal lip 134, and display surface 136. According to the embodiment shown, anti-warping device 138 may be disposed in display surface 136, which allows proximal lip 132 and distal lip 134 to be molded without warping display tray 130.

Proximal lip 132 is used in conjunction with cantilever device 120 to support the weight of display tray 130. Referring back to the embodiment of FIG. 2, proximal lip 132 is inserted into cantilever device 120 at an angle. By angling proximal lip 132, it fits within the opening of cantilever device 120. Once inserted, a moment is formed at the opening of cantilever device 120. The weight of display tray 130 and the area forming display surface 136 causes proximal lip to rotate about the opening of cantilever device 120 until it contacts an inner surface of display case connector 110 or cantilever device 120, depending on the embodiment. Once inserted, display tray 130 is mounted on display tray connector 110 and ready for items to be placed upon it.

According to a similar embodiment shown in FIG. 4, cantilever device 120 comprises parts mounted to an outer surface of display case connector 110. For example, upper cantilever lip 122 may be used in conjunction with lower cantilever lip 124. Proximal lip 132 is inserted into a space formed by upper cantilever lip 122 between the inner surface of upper cantilever lip 122 and the outer surface of display case connector 110. Once inserted, the distal-most portion of proximal lip 132 or proximal-most portion of display tray 130 rests on lower cantilever lip 124. Lower cantilever lip 124 must prevent the forces of gravity from causing proximal lip 132 to slide from the cavity formed by upper cantilever lip 132 and display case connector 110. This function may be accomplished by extensions on lower cantilever lip 124 that articulate with corresponding indentations in the proximal end of display tray 130. The method of cantilevering display tray 130 in conjunction with display case connector 110 is well understood and known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Insertion may occur by angling display tray 130 or by sliding display tray 130 into position, as would similarly be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Display tray 130 may only be inserted or removed at angles, depending on the embodiment, which prevent accidental disengagement between cantilever device 120 and display tray 130. It may also be inserted by sliding into cantilever device 120 from the sides.

Likewise contemplated, but now shown, display tray 130 may be affixed to display case connector 110 with an adhesive. Use of an adhesive requires no cantilever device, although a cantilever device may be used in conjunction with an adhesive. Attachment of display tray 130 is well known in the art and requires no further elucidation herein.

Referring again to FIG. 5, items are placed on display surface 136. Distal lip 134 prevents items placed on display surface 136 from falling to the bottom of display case 100. Various traction providing surfaces may be affixed to display surface 136 to prevent items from sliding. Similarly, distal lip 134 provides a point where boxed items may rest against display tray 130, to prevent them from falling to the bottom of display case 100.

According to embodiments, a method of restocking merchandise is disclosed and may be used in conjunction with the apparatuses of the present disclosure, although they are equally applicable to nearly any other display as well. According to an embodiment, restocking information is displayed on display surface 136. The restocking information gives information regarding the item that was offered for sale on display tray 130 to ensure that the same item is restocked. To that end, further information may be likewise provided—for example, product numbers, names of the relevant distributors and their addresses. Additionally, according to embodiments, a picture or photo may be provided to more easily reorder the items, as well as facilitate ease of restocking the items.

According to embodiments, the reordering information is displayed on a paper or card sized to fit onto display tray 130 without appreciable overlap. The paper or card may then be removed and replaced as choices in stock change or are updated. In other embodiments, each item has its own paper or card reorder information that may be placed on a shelf to identify the item being offered for sale in a given position on display tray 130 on a larger paper or card. Similarly, the paper or card reorder information may be introduced as part of a shelf restocking unit by affixing the paper or card reorder information with others for items shown on the same shelf. Such methods of affixing or otherwise combining paper or card reorder information would be well understood and known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

According to the present disclosure, when items are for sale on display tray 150, the restocking information is unseen. Only after the last item is removed from display tray 150 is the restocking information revealed. According to other embodiments, however, the information may be displayed on the underside of display tray 130 or on other parts of the display tray 130 that are generally not viewed by consumers. Thus, the aesthetics of the overall display case 100 are preserved while maintaining the primary functionality of the display case 100 and display tray 130 which is to advertise and sell items.

A related method disclosed according to embodiments of the present disclosure is the formation of an unwarped display tray 130, in cases in which display tray 130 is made from plastic, acrylic, or glass. Referring again to an embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a problem with plastics, acrylic, and glass is that they can warp when heated. To create proximal lip 132 and distal lip 134, however, display tray 130 must be heated to bend the plastic, acrylic, or glass to form structures on display tray 130, such as lips. Because of the heating necessary to form the structures, along substantial portions of display tray 134, the potential for warping increases. Warp preventer 138 is therefore introduced to avoid warping as structures are formed on display tray 130.

Warp preventer 138 provides a conduit wherein the plastic, acrylic, or glass may expand when heated to accommodate the heat induced expansion rather than by warping. According to the exemplary embodiment, warp preventer 138 is T-shaped. The inventors of the present disclosure have discovered that a T-shaped opening in display tray 130 is sufficient to prevent warping when display tray 130 is heated to form proximal lip 132 and distal lip 134, by providing a relief mechanism for heat induced expansion of the material from which display tray 130 is made.

Accordingly, the method, according to embodiments, comprises providing a T-shaped opening in display tray 130. Depending on the size of display tray 130 and the specifics with respect to the bending requirements, multiple warp preventers 138 may be employed. Similarly, variations on the dimensions and shapes accomplishing the same objective may be used and will be apparent to artisans without undue experimentation, based on the size and structures desired for each display tray 130.

While the apparatus and method have been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so sa to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims. 

1. An display apparatus comprising: a case, the case having a geometric configuration and an orientation generally orthogonal to a surface upon which the apparatus rests; a display tray connector disposed within the case, the display tray connector further comprising a cantilever device; and a display tray, the display tray further comprising: a proximal lip; a display surface; and a distal lip.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case is enclosed by a peripheral layer including transparent portions.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display tray further comprises an anti-warping structure.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the anti-warping structure comprises an opening in the display surface, the opening being about T-shaped.
 5. A method comprising: in conjunction with the use of a display apparatus, providing for restocking information to be displayed on a shelf surface; wherein, when a last item on the shelf is removed, the restocking information is shown.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the restocking information is shown on a paper-based member on the shelf surface.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the paper-based member is selected from the group consisting of paper, cardstock, or cardboard.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the restocking information is shown on at least one of a paper-based member on the shelf surface, a holographic projection on the shelf surface, or an electronic indicator.
 9. The method of claim 5, wherein the restocking information is affixed directly to the display shelf surface.
 10. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of providing a wireless signal notifying a computer system to reorder additional items.
 11. A method comprising: providing an anti-warping structure on at least one display tray, wherein the anti-warping structure prevents warping when the display tray is heated to form at least one non-planar structure.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one structure is a lip.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the anti-warping structure comprises an opening in each display shelf, the opening being about T-shaped.
 14. A business method of aesthetically displaying artistic articles for advertising and selling the goods comprising: providing a display case, the display case having at least one display tray and a display tray connector to which the display tray is connected; providing a lighting to aesthetically enhance the artistic articles; providing at least one mirror in which a potential consumer may view the artistic article; wherein the combination of display case aesthetics, lighting, and mirrors induces consumers to purchase the artistic articles out of the display case.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: providing a cantilever device on display tray connecter, the cantilever device being used to connect the display tray to the display tray connector.
 16. A business method for arraying and allowing users to select desired items of value comprising: providing a display apparatus, the display apparatus having at least one shelf for displaying at least one item; wherein the shelf is configured to interconnect with the display apparatus with a cantilever device, the shelf configuration comprising at least one lip for articulating with the cantilever device to support at least the weight of the shelf; allowing items to be displayed, wherein display of the items in the display apparatus increases revenues from sales of the items displayed.
 17. The business method of claim 16, wherein reordering information is provided on the shelf and shown only when the last of a particular item is removed from the shelf.
 18. The business method of claim 16, wherein the shelf further comprises a T-shaped anti-warping device. 